Matthew Caldwell Leaves Panthers to Lead Timberwolves and Lynx
Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Matthew Caldwell will leave his position as president of business operations for the Florida Panthers, current Stanley Cup champions for the second consecutive time, to take on a 10-year contract as CEO of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx. The official announcement was made on Wednesday. Caldwell will begin overseeing the “daily business operations and high-level strategic initiatives for the Timberwolves, Lynx, and the Iowa Wolves of the G League” starting September 2nd. This is an important decision by the new owners of the Timberwolves and Lynx, Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez, who took full control of those franchises earlier this summer.Caldwell joined the Panthers in 2014 as chief operating officer before being promoted to chief executive officer in 2016.I love the NHL. I’ve enjoyed hockey and I’m a big fan. But the NBA is a much bigger and global platform. I really believe in Marc and Alex and their vision and what they’re trying to do. They’re trying to make Minnesota the best in class.
Matthew Caldwell
Caldwell, who served in the Army, graduated from West Point, earned MBA and law degrees from Northwestern, and worked on Wall Street for Goldman Sachs, played a significant role in many parts of the Panthers’ transformation in recent years, especially off the ice. In September, the Panthers extended their operating agreement with Broward County for five more years, ensuring that the team remains in the South Florida market until 2033 and likely much longer. The team will host an outdoor game at the Miami Marlins’ stadium for the first time this season, has a long waiting list for season tickets, and opened a new practice facility at the War Memorial in Fort Lauderdale two years ago. Caldwell said the change was somewhat bittersweet, a feeling that was shared by Panthers owner Vincent Viola.Our vision is for the Timberwolves and Lynx to set a new standard of excellence in professional sports, and we are confident that Matthew is the leader needed to make that vision a reality. Leading our organization into a new era of innovation requires an exceptional person at the helm, and Matthew’s proven track record of leading the business of the Florida Panthers is undeniable. We can’t wait to see the remarkable impact his bold leadership will have on this organization.
Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez
There are very few opportunities I would advise him to pursue, but working with Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore on a global platform like the NBA is at the top of that list. It is tremendously bittersweet for our family, but we recognize that this is an exceptional opportunity and a great step in his career. Matt’s impact on our organization has been immeasurable and he leaves with our respect and gratitude.
Vincent Viola
